Nairobi National Park animals at a glance
Nairobi National Park holds four of the Big Five: lion, leopard, buffalo and rhino. There are no free-living elephants. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) counts over 100 animal species and over 400 bird species in the park. These are figures for diversity and not a count made on a given day, so they say nothing about what you will see on your visit.
The animals live on open grassland with river woodland and dry forest, and the skyline of Nairobi often stands in the background. Sightings are never guaranteed, but a Nairobi National Park game drive gives good chances of several species in one trip.
The main animals of the park
Species KWS names for Nairobi National Park.
Lions
Lions are among the animals KWS names for the park. They are the species most visitors hope for. A game drive gives good chances but no promise, and the animals roam over a large area.
Rhinos
KWS describes the park as important for the protection of black rhinos. Both black and white rhinos have lived here historically. Check the current count with KWS before you rely on any number you see quoted.
Giraffes
Giraffes stand among acacias and bushes on the savanna. They are among the easiest large animals to spot from the road.
Buffalo and leopards
Buffalo graze in herds on the grassland. Leopards live in the park too, but they are secretive, so a sighting is a bonus and not something to plan around.
Zebras and other plains animals
Herds of zebras and other plains animals move over the grass. Ostriches also walk the open ground.
Birds
More than 400 bird species have been recorded. Bring binoculars if you like birds, and ask your driver or guide to slow down for them.
Our pick: a guided drive to the wildlife
A guided game drive is the way to see the park's animals, and what you see varies from drive to drive.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Nairobi National Park wildlife tours
Game drives and half-day safaris with guides who know the park, with live prices and availability.
Nairobi National Park rhinos
Rhinos are the animal many visitors hope to see here. KWS points to the park's value for protecting black rhinos, and rhinos graze on the dry grassland, often in the open. A guide who knows the park can tell you where to look, but a sighting is never certain.
Keep at least 20 m from any wildlife and stay in the vehicle. Do not drive off the road to get closer. The full rules are on the game drive page.
Why the park has no free-living elephants
And where the elephants are.
The park has no free-living elephant population. The elephants you can visit are orphans looked after at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust nursery, a separate operator. A visit runs from 11:00 to 12:00 and needs a confirmation in advance. Read about it on the elephant orphanage page.
Where to see which animals
The park and four places nearby.
| Animal | In the park | Safari Walk | Animal Orphanage | Giraffe Centre | Elephant nursery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lion | Yes | Yes | Yes | – | – |
| Leopard | Yes | Yes | Yes | – | – |
| Rhino | Yes | Yes | – | – | – |
| Buffalo | Yes | Yes | – | – | – |
| Giraffe | Yes | Yes | – | Yes | – |
| Elephant | No free-living herd | – | – | – | Orphans |
For most visitors, the park itself offers the most chances of seeing wild animals in open country, and the enclosures at the Safari Walk and the Animal Orphanage fill gaps. Giraffes are the easy pick at the Giraffe Centre.
Wildlife corridor and the park's edges
Fences on three sides and a link to the south.
The park is fenced on three sides. To the south it connects with the Kitengela and Athi-Kapiti rangelands, which has historically let animals move in and out of the park. Building and fencing outside the boundary can change that, so a given movement or migration is not something you can plan around. Read more about the park's past on the history page and about the dry months on the weather page.
Seasons and sightings
No fixed calendar for the animals.
There is no fixed annual movement of animals that you can plan around. Historical weather tables show July to September as drier than April and May, and dry months can make roads easier and animals easier to find at waterholes and rivers. That is a general tendency and not a promise of sightings or of passable roads after rain. See the weather page for the rainy seasons.
Plan the rest of your visit
Where to see more animals.
Nairobi National Park animals: frequently asked questions
Which animals live in Nairobi National Park?
KWS names lions, rhinos, giraffes, buffalo and leopards, along with other savanna animals, over 100 animal species in all and over 400 bird species. There are no free-living elephants.
Are there lions in Nairobi National Park?
Yes. Lions live in the park, and a game drive gives good chances of seeing them. There is no guarantee on any given day.
Are there rhinos in the park?
Yes. The park is important for the protection of black rhinos, and white rhinos have lived there as well. Check the current count with KWS.
Can I see elephants?
Not in the wild here. You can visit orphaned elephants at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust nursery from 11:00 to 12:00 with a booking confirmed in advance.
Can I see the Big Five in one day?
No. Four of the Big Five live in the park, but elephants do not, and no sighting is guaranteed.
Is this the official wildlife information site?
No. This is an independent travel guide and is not run by the Kenya Wildlife Service.